Just booked a quick trip to
Alaska. We arrive 8/2 in Anchorage, and will only have 5 full days. Should we set up from a base hotel there, and do daily excursions, or would you recommend something else? Where is a nice, but reasonably priced hotel to stay, whether 1 night or all 5? How about car rentals? Any must sees? Any tourist traps to avoid? How about those little known, but memorable places? Any help is appreciated.
Walt

Anchorage is a big, sprawling city albeit with incredible views. Head south for the more incredible scenery and more things to do within 3 hours than heading north. You could take almost a full day just getting to Seward which is about a 3 hour drive with no stopping. But, stop at Alyeska for a tram ride to the top (can view 7 glaciers). I think you might see salmon running up Bird Creek on your way south. Another fascinating and free stop to watch fishermen. Aim for dinner in Seward. Visit Sea Life Center is late afternoon and enjoy shops in Seward. Take full day boat trip to glaciers next day. Homer would be another 2-3 hour drive down the other side of the peninsula. The scenery between Seward and Homer isn't fantastic but you'll see the volcanos across the bay and once you get to the viewing area overlooking the Homer Spit you're back to incredible scenery again. Visit Pratt Museum. Drive the Skyline Drive. Do some fishing? I really enjoyed the visitors center at Portage Glacier on the way back to Anchorage. Great video. Listen to recordings about the great earthquake. Independence Mine north of Anchorage could be a day trip from Anchorage. The old buildings are being restored with great information about the mining community. You'll wonder how they built a town so far from anything back then. Seldovia is little known and could be a day boat trip from Homer. I have not been to Halibut Cove. There's not much in Seldovia, it's a very small town. We visited as an overnignt package with flightseeing trip over a glacier on way back to Homer. You can view a map with hiking trails on the internet. You could also visit Hope, a tiny, tiny town near Seward. Beautiful old buildings, nothing new, tiny museum. I got a kick out of a Hobo Jim dinner show in Soldotna. I think another couple sharing our table and us were the only non-locals. I think he does a fun show. He plays bars in Homer and Seward and elsewhere. He's known for the Iditarod Trail Song. Your likes and interests should help you find the memorable places. We strolled a beach near Kenai/Soldotna and talked with a new fisherman who gave us a salmon for dinner. He loved fishing but he was also stocking his freezer for winter although his wife had told him 250 lbs was his limit.

5 full days in Alaska, or 5 full days in Anchorage?

Best quote I read while we were in Alaska last month was "the best thing about Anchorage is that it is only 20 minutes from Alaska"

Distances are great in Alaska - it would be difficult to stay in Anchorage for 5 nights and see much beyond that city. Head to Kenai Peninsula (Seward, Homer) or up to Denali. Don't spends your entire time in Anchorage.

Thanks for the advice. We definitely want to see as much as possible, and don't plan on "hunkering down" in Anchorage. The recommended trips sound great. Is there something a little further out that is worth the drive, and may require an overnight stay(s)?
Walt

You need a map. Seward is a few hours away from Anchorage - could be a long day trip, but I would not recommend it as such - too much to do and see.

Denali is a 5-6 hour drive from Anchorage. Private vehicles are only allowed 15 miles into Denali and after that one must take either a Park shuttle or private tour.

Do a search here on Denali and Seward, Kenai Peninsul, Homer.

Also, Alaska lodging.